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Sylvia's Magic
At 80, the JCC's longtime fitness instructor
has helped shape generations of women.
ESTHER ALLWEISS TSCHIRHART
Special to the Jewish News
ylvia Zukin, a pioneering health and fitness instructor at the West
Bloomfield Jewish Community Center, was feted Feb. 25 with a sur-
prise party on her 80th birthday.
Friends and family erupted in applause as Zukin, who still leads classes at
the Center, arrived at the celebration at the JCC's Handleman Hall. Women's
Health Club members in their workout clothes were among those gathered
to toast Zukin, who started teaching at the JCC branch building near Dexter
and Davison streets in Detroit in 1957.
The perpetrators of the surprise party included Zukin's colleagues, family
members and "Club at the J" chair Marc Kahn.
During the continental brunch that included three birthday cakes, guests
took turns lauding Zukin — many crediting her for their good health.
Lenore Solomon of West Bloomfield said Zukin encouraged her to ,return
to exercise after a disabling car accident. "She helped me so I can walk," said
the longtime health club member.
"My grandmother loved you, my mother loved you and I love you,"
Solomon said. "You are the essence of this Jewish Center."
"I believe Sylvia can make magic," said Natalie Halpern Eichen of West
Bloomfield, who attended Zukin's pilot back class after a serious horse-riding
accident.
Starting A Trend
Bob Basch of West Bloomfield was the JCC's first health and physical educa-
tion director in 1959. He saw potential in Zukin when she and her late hus-
band, Walter, were teaching ballroom dancing. Basch had Zukin lead
Slimnastics, the JCC's first women's exercise program. Though it came before
the women's workout craze, it was an immediate hit. She also began other
classes, including aerobics, yoga and Tai Chi.
Zukin, who took up swimming and dancing to overcome polio, now leads
Hydrotone and body awareness classes. She also is certified to teach the
Feldenkrais method and Pilates.
Zukin initiated many other enduring programs at the JCC, including
dance therapy, a cardiac research program in conjunction with Wayne State
University, the former Sinai Hospital of Detroit and the JCC; asthmatic and
emphysema programs; Women's Olympics and breast cancer detection.
Basch called Zukin "the most energetic and most magnetic professional
assistant I've ever had."
JCC Executive Director David Sorkin has worked with Zukin previously
when he was with the Jewish Community Centers Association.
"Sylvia pioneered exercise for women and helped JCCs all over the country
with their programs," he said.
Certified by IDEA, an international association of fitness professionals,
Zukin lectures to groups and appears on television and radio as a consultant
and adviser on physical fitness.
Sylvia Zukin is surprised at her 80th birthday party at the West BloomfieldJCC.
Many JCC students have developed
friendships with Zukin that go beyond her
role in improving their health and fitness.
Ellen Lesser Siegel of Bloomfield Hills
joined the Center primarily because her
aunt had been close to Zukin. Marlene
Nessel of Southfield is fond of her for fight-
ing to allow women to play racquetball at
the JCC in the 1960s.
Also paying tribute to Zukin were her
daughters Lori Burkow of West
Bloomfield, who is a personal trainer at the
JCC, and Nancy Reed of Maryland.
Zukin also has a son, Ian, plus 11 grand-
children and four great-grandchildren. Her
granddaughters Alexandra and Loni
Burkow said, "I love you, Bubbie," during
their turn at the mike.
Also speaking were Zukin's brother and
sister-in-law, Phil and Paula Bolton of West
Bloomfield.
After the tributes, Zukin said, "My
husband, may he rest in peace, pushed
me into this job," but she's enjoyed it
ever since.
She thanked her family and others who
had remarked about her giving nature,
noting, "Because I grew up with so much
love, it was easy to give love and encour-
age people to pass it on." ❑
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2002
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